East Ramapo Central School District Part 154 Corrective ... · PDF fileCorrective Action Plan . ii ... implementation of bilingual programs at the elementary and high school levels,

East Ramapo Central School District

Part 154

Corrective Action Plan

ii

East Ramapo Central School District

Part 154: Corrective Action Plan

March 20, 2015

Table of Contents

Area of Noncompliance ................................................................................................................................ 1

1) ERCSD has failed to orient ELL parents about and accurately identify parent interest concerning

bilingual education and ESL program options, and further failed to open and maintain Bilingual

Education programs as required by ELL population triggers. ................................................................... 1


2). ERCSD has failed to provide Beginner and Intermediate ELLs with access to the core curriculum and

a pathway to graduation. .......................................................................................................................... 3


3). ERCSD requires documentation of age that may discourage or chill students, including

undocumented students who are district residents, from receiving a free public education. ................ 6


4). ERCSD lacks adequate data systems to maintain accurate records about the home language and

size of its ELL population. .......................................................................................................................... 7


5). ERCSD has failed to correctly administer the Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) and use data

collected therein to identify the home language of ELL students. ........................................................... 8

Community Reports ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 10

1

Area of Noncompliance

1) ERCSD has failed to orient ELL parents about and accurately identify parent

interest concerning bilingual education and ESL program options, and further

failed to open and maintain Bilingual Education programs as required by ELL

population triggers.

A. Action Steps: The ERCSD will take a number of steps to ensure that parents

and members of the community are fully informed implementation of bilingual programs

at the elementary and high school level. The district has held ESL program meetings

with community members such as the local Ecuadorian Association and Board Members

of the Latino Pastor Association. Additional meetings regarding ESL/Bilingual programs

were held at ELL parent events at both high schools. In preparation for the

implementation of bilingual programs at the elementary and high school levels, there will

be parent meetings in May and June to inform parents of the Bilingual and ESL options

for the 2015-16 school year. Meetings will be held in English and parents’ native

language at a central location, which can accommodate many parents such as the

district central office.

a. Step 1: Send home notices to parents at the elementary and high

schools informing them of the Bilingual and ESL informational

sessions.

i. ESL/LOTE Department Staff will be responsible for

ensuring that flyers are mailed home to parents regarding the

informational sessions. Key responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ESL/LOTE

Instructional Supervisor, Wanda Gonzalez- ESL Professional Developer

7-12, Kimberly O’Brien- ESL Professional Developer K-6, and Zoraida

Arroyo- Bilingual Community Liaison.

ii. Deadline: The deadline for notices being sent home

to parents will be May1st. All Bilingual and ESL informational sessions will

occur between May 18th and June 26, 2015. Parents will have the option

of attending a session held during the day, or evening, to accommodate

their schedules.

B. Targets

a. By June 8, 2015: 50% of the Bilingual and ESL informational

sessions will be completed.

b. By June 26, 2015: 100% of the meetings will be completed.

C. Quarterly Compliance Report

a. Execution of Action Steps and Meeting of Targets

b. Completion date will be June 26th 2015

c. Additional data and materials to be included in compliance reports

2

d. Informational flyer mailing lists, agendas from informational

sessions, attendance/sign-in sheets, PowerPoint Presentation regarding both

programs, minutes including parent and community questions about the

programs, and lists of parents who have expressed an interest in enrolling their

child in a bilingual program.

e. Dates by which quarterly compliance reports will be submitted

i. April 15, 2015

ii. July 15, 2015

iii. October 15, 2015

iv. January 15, 2016

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2). ERCSD has failed to provide Beginner and Intermediate ELLs with access to

the core curriculum and a pathway to graduation.

A. Action Steps: ERCSD has reviewed our materials and the core materials

aligned to the ENL programs are aligned to the Common Core Standards. ENL materials

at the high school level include The Edge by Cengage and Rigor by Benchmark

Education. The district has conducted a review of the data regarding high school credits

assigned to ELLs with members of the district Blueprint for ELL Success Committee as

well the ENL Advisory Committee, which includes all district and community

stakeholders. Based on the guidance from the ENL Advisory Committee, the Blueprint

for ELL Success Committee has created a number of actions steps in order to provide

credits to students at the Beginner and Intermediate proficiency levels in high school.

a. Step 1: Review of the Curriculum

i. ESL/LOTE staff members will review current high

school ESL, Bilingual and ESL content area curriculum to ensure that it is

aligned to the New York State Common Core Learning Standards. Key

responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ESL/LOTE Instructional Supervisor,

Wanda Gonzalez- ESL Professional Developer 7-12, and Kimberly

O’Brien- ESL Professional Developer K-6.

ii. Deadline: March 30, 2015

b. Step 2: Recommendations for ESL/Bilingual Curriculum Revision

i. ESL/Bilingual curriculum materials that are not

aligned to the NYS CCLS will be reviewed and adjusted to meet the

standards. This alignment to the CCLS will include a review of the NYS

content area modules and additional supplemental materials to support

language development in the content area. ESL/LOTE staff members will

work closely with the New York State Department of Education to ensure

that the revised curriculum meets the state approved criteria for course

accreditation.

ii. Key responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ESL/LOTE


7-12, and Kimberly O’Brien- ESL Professional Developer K-6.

iii. Deadline: April 30, 2015

c. Step 3: Class Accreditation:

i. Once the alignment of the materials is complete,

ENL/LOTE staff will share the list of updated and revised curriculum

materials aligned NYS CCLS with the Assistant Superintendent of

Secondary and the Management Information Systems staff to ensure that

courses credit bearing and meet graduation requirements.

ii. Key responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ENL/LOTE


7-12, Kimberly O’Brien- ESL, Dr. Arthur Fisher- Superintendent of

4

Secondary Education, and Gail Piscitelli- Management Information

Systems Staff.

iii. Deadline: May 29, 2015

d. Step 4: Curriculum Mapping

i. High School ENL, Bilingual, and ENL content area

teachers will use the CCLS aligned instructional materials to create

curriculum maps for the 2015-16 school year. Teachers will apply to work

on the curriculum maps and will be paid through the Title III Budget.

Selection of teachers will be based on their interest and expertise of

teaching Beginner and Intermediate language learners and creating

curriculum maps. Key responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ENL/LOTE

Instructional Supervisor, and Wanda Gonzalez- ESL Professional

Developer 7-12.

ii. Deadline: July 17, 2015

e. Step 5: Access to Curriculum Maps

i. Once the maps have been completed and edited,

they will be placed on the ERCSD Teacher Suite in order to provide

electronic access to all teachers, building administrators, district leaders,

BOE members, parents, and community members.

ii. Key responsible staff: Melissa Barrow- ESL/LOTE


7-12, and Kimberly O’Brien- ESL.

iii. Deadline: July 30, 2015

B. Targets

a. By March 30, 2015 ERCSD will have 25% of the required action

completed.

b. By April 30, 2015 ERCSD will have 50% of the required action

completed.

c. By May 29, 2015 ERCSD will have 75% of the required action

completed.

d. By July 30, 2015 ERCSD will have 100% of the required action

completed.

C. Quarterly Compliance Reports

a. Execution of Action Steps and Meeting of Targets

i. Completion date will be by July 30, 2015

b. Additional data and materials to be included in compliance reports

i. Step 1: List of current curriculum materials used for

ENL, Bilingual and ENL content area classes.

ii. Step 2: List of recommended content area

curriculum materials aligned to the NYS CCLS and supplemental

materials for language development in the content area.

iii. Step 3: List of ENL, Bilingual, and ENL content

area classes with assigned credits required for graduation.

5

iv. Step 4: Agenda and attendance sheet for

curriculum mapping sessions, and curriculum maps for ENL, Bilingual,

and ENL content area courses.

v. Step 5: Link to electronic version of curriculum

maps.

c. Dates by which quarterly compliance reports will be submitted

i. April 15, 2015

ii. July 15, 2015



6


3). ERCSD requires documentation of age that may discourage or chill students,

including undocumented students who are district residents, from receiving a

free public education.

A. Action Steps: The ERCSD is in the process of changing the website and registration

packets to reflect an accurate list the required documentation for registration. While the

staff in the registration office is fully aware of the required documentation necessary for

registration, the language on the website and in the registration packet does not

accurately indicate the requirements. Currently the Director of Management Information

Systems (MIS) and Registration is making the necessary corrections to the website and

registration paperwork.

a. Step 1: Make the necessary changes to the website and registration packet.

Responsible party: Azhar Ahmad- Director of MIS and Registration and Liz

Cohen-Supervisor of Case Management and Non-Public Schools.

B. Targets

a. By March 30, 2015 areas of this required corrective action will be completed.


a. This required corrective action will be completed by March 30, 2015

b. Additional data and materials to be included

i. Link to updated website Central Registration page with required

registration documents and updated registration packet.


i. April 15, 2015

ii. July 15, 2015



7


4). ERCSD lacks adequate data systems to maintain accurate records about the

home language and size of its ELL population.

A. Action Steps: The ERCSD would like to thank Mr. Nick Pandey for his guidance and

assistance regarding the data collection and to ensure compliance with demographic

record keeping. The ERCSD Management Information Systems staff is currently revising

the demographic data and program status of our English Language Learners. Training

for all staff involved in the student intake process is being planned to ensure the

information input is accurate.

a. Step 1: Identify students with incorrect demographic information and make the

necessary corrections.

i. Key Responsible Staff: Gail Piscitelli- Management Information Systems

Staff, Ahzar Ahmad-Director of Management Information Systems and

Registration, and Ian Coyne- Management Information Systems Staff.


b. Step 2: Change program enrollment of ELLs from ‘’no program” to the correct

program code.

i. Key Responsible Staff: Gail Piscitelli- Management Information Systems

Staff, Ahzar Ahmad-Director of Management Information Systems and

Registration


c. Step 3: Training for all Staff involved in the student intake process (ENL teachers

and Registration staff).

i. Key Responsible Staff: Melissa Barrow- Instructional Supervisor of

ENL/LOTE.


B. Targets

a. All, 100%, of the steps in this required corrective action will be completed by

March 30, 2015.


a. Will be completed on March 30th.

b. Additional data and materials to be included in compliance reports

i. Step1: Updated student demographic information will be available in

ERCSD’s school information management system.

ii. Step 2: Training materials, Agenda, and attendance/sign in sheets.


i. April 15, 2015

ii. July 15, 2015



8


5). ERCSD has failed to correctly administer the Home Language Questionnaire

(HLQ) and use data collected therein to identify the home language of ELL

students.

A. Action Steps Currently, ERCSD’s qualified interpreters/translators of Spanish and

Haitian Creole review the HLQ with parents and students before the informal interviews

and NYSITELL testing is administered. According to the CR 154 Subparts 154-1 and

154-2, a Bilingual Education or ESOL teacher or teacher trained cultural competency

and a certified translator can assist parents in completing the HLQ. Furthermore,

Subparts 154-1 and 154-2 must be fully implemented for the 2015-16 school year. The

ERCSD staff involved with the intake process and ELL identification will begin initiating

steps toward full implementation for the 2015-16 school year.

a) Step 1: Training for all staff involved in the intake process specifically in regards to

assisting parents/guardians with the completion of the HLQ

i. Key Responsible Staff: Melissa Barrow: Instructional Supervisor of

ESL/LOTE, Zoraida Arroyo and TBD: Bilingual Community Liaisons

(Spanish and Haitian Creole), Felise Grossman; ESL Teacher/NYSITELL

Examiner, and Amy Quinones: Registration.

ii. Deadline: June 1, 2015

b) Step 2: Ensure that when students are scheduled for NYSITELL testing, both the test

Examiner and Bilingual Community Liaisons are present to assist parents with the

testing. This will be done by creating a weekly schedule.

iii. Key Responsible Staff: Melissa Barrow: Instructional Supervisor of

ESL/LOTE, Zoraida Arroyo and TBD: Bilingual Community Liaisons

(Spanish and Haitian Creole), Felise Grossman; and ESL

Teacher/NYSITELL Examiner.

iv. Deadline: June 15, 2015

B. Targets

All steps of this required action will be completed by June 15th 2015 and will be in full

implementation by July 1, 2015.

C. Quality Compliance Reports

This required corrective action will be completed by July 1st 2015

Additional data and materials to be included

i. Step 1: Training agenda and attendance sign in sheets.

ii. Step 2: NYSITELL testing schedule for the 2015-16 school year.

Dates by which quarterly compliance reports will be submitted

iii. April 15, 2015

iv. July 15, 2015

v. October 15, 2015

vi. January 15, 2016

9

Community Reports

The District would like to respond to the section of the monitoring report titled, “Community Reports,” that alleges that OBEWL has received direct complaints from parents and members of the community concerning various failures of the District. As a threshold matter, the District has an interest in the success of all students. To that end, it is absolutely essential that any complaints that are received by OBEWL or the State Education Department concerning the District be brought to the attention of the school administration forthwith and without delay.

It should be noted that it has long been the standard practice of Superintendent, Dr. Joel Klein to immediately assess any parent or community complaints brought directly to the attention of the District administration. Upon receipt of a parent or community complaint, Dr. Klein or an appropriate member of his senior staff is designated to make contact with the complainant. Thereafter, the complaint is investigated and evaluated, and if substantiated, appropriate corrective action taken. Where a complaint is unfounded, it presents for an opportunity to correct any misunderstanding.

Instances where complaints are received by outside entities and not shared with the District in a timely manner can only serve to compound matters and stymie and hamper an investigation by central office personnel. This is not conducive to the success of the District’s students or the smooth operation of an educational environment.

Moving forward, the District respectfully requests that any complaints received by OBEWL or the State Education Department be shared with the Office of the Superintendent in a timely fashion so that we may collaborate together in solving problems and misunderstandings.

10

Conclusion

As outlined in the plan, the East Ramapo Central School District is committed to:

Informing, offering, and providing parents of ELLs with information regarding ESL and

Bilingual Programs offered throughout the district.

Establishing and maintaining a welcoming environment for parents and students during

the registration process as to not discourage or chill students who register, especially

those may be undocumented.

Providing ELLs with rigorous education aligned to the New York State Common Core

Learning Standards that addresses their academic, linguistic, and cultural needs

Ensuring that all ELLs have access to content area courses that lead to graduation and

college and career readiness.

Maintaining accurate records regarding students’ home language and correctly

administering the Home Language Questionnaire in order to use the data to identify the

correct home language of ELL.

The East Ramapo Central School District looks forward to collaborating with the New York State

Education Department Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages as well as

community leaders, parents, teachers, students, and other key stakeholders in order to

accelerate the achievement of all English Language Learners throughout the district.

Documents

East Ramapo Central School District Part 154 Corrective ... · PDF fileCorrective Action Plan . ii ... implementation of bilingual programs at the elementary and high school levels,